SULTAN, MALUKMOHAMMED LAPPA
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Malukmohammed Lappa Sultan (February 15, 1873-September 6, 1953) was a successful businessman who gave selflessly to the poor of all races and religions in South Africa. He is particularly remembered for promoting education through his gifts to schools.
PHOTO CAPTION: Sultan M.L. SOURCE: EA Library.
Born in the Malabar district of southern India, he left India at the age of 14. He had intended to go to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) but, not having enough money, went instead to South Africa as an indentured servant. Arriving in Durban in 1890, he took a job as a railway porter to fulfill his recruitment contract.
After fulfilling his contract, and working at a hotel in Johannesburg, he returned to Durban in 1918, and became a tobacco farmer. This was not initially successful; he diversified his business interests. In addition to property investments, he engaged in banana farming, Vedic medicine, selling betel leaf, and general wholesale and retail sales. He ultimately succeeded, making much of his money in the property market, and shared his success through charitable donations.
In 1942, he established the M.L. Sultan Charitable and Educational Trust in order to provide Indians in Natal with better educational opportunities. This trust later provided half the building costs of the M.L. Sultan Technical College in Durban, which amounted to over £330,000. The college was completed in 1952, and grew to include branches in Pietermaritzburg and on the North Coast.
His concern for all the races of South Africa was shown by his final actions. In 1952 he tried to amend the deed to the college so that Africans could also attend. He died of a stroke, however, before these amendments could be registered.
LEONARD LESLIE BESSANT
